Published: Tuesday, January 22, 2013 at 8:53 a.m.

Last Modified: Tuesday, January 22, 2013 at 8:53 a.m.

From inside the walls of a school, a principal can see how much of Martin Luther King Jr.'s dream has come to pass and how much further America still has to go.

That's what West Thibodaux Middle School Principal Greg Cook spoke of Monday morning on the civil rights leader's holiday.

“Although we've made so many strides, some still have the same doubts and fears that we did when we were young,” Cook said of the conversations he has with his students.

He spoke of his frustration with the entertainment industry, which portrays the “falsehood” that black men “would rather pour liquor, use drugs and degrade women rather than educate ourselves,” and with society's “subtle ways” of telling those who are black that they aren't equipped for successful lives.

However, “to the young people here today, I stand before you as a living testament of the power of hope. ... Anything you work for can be obtained as long as you guard the hope in your heart,” Cook said.

His speech highlighted the theme of the NAACP Lafourche Parish chapter's Monday event, “Even When the Odds Are Against You, Keep Hoping.”

Many of the words spoken during the Thibodaux event had a similar mixed tone, all with the conclusion that those who struggle will triumph in the end.

Before the group began its march from Martin Luther King Jr. Park to the St. Luke Community Center, 12-year-old Naomi Winston read a poem she wrote for the occasion.

“Hope sometimes feels like an illusion. Sometimes it fills me with such confusion,” read Winston, who is the daughter of the NAACP chapter's vice president Ronnie Winston. Still, “even when the odds are against me, I hope.”

As she marched Monday, Gustavia Vergin, 56, spoke of the changes Thibodaux has undergone since she was a child and the changes she would still like to see.

Growing up, she remembers separate water fountains and separate waiting areas in doctors' offices for black and white people.

Still, “a lot can be improved,” such as the public school system and law enforcement's treatment of African-Americans, she said.

Furthermore, King would likely be “crying about what children are doing today, like blacks killing blacks,” if he were alive today, Vergin said.

King would have turned 84 this month. He was assassinated at age 39.

The chapter's president, Burnell Tolbert, was not present at the Thibodaux event because he was in Washington for President Barack Obama's inauguration.

“I couldn't miss this. … It's cold, but it's well worth it,” Tolbert said by phone Monday, after hearing Obama speak. He had not seen Obama's first inauguration. Former chapter president Eva Shanklin saw that one.

When Shanklin saw Obama at the National Mall, “it was just an awesome feeling to think we have an African-American president,” she said.

“He's serving because this is what God called him to do. … He's been continuing to fight and struggle as we have,” Shanklin said.

Tolbert said he had been talking with others that day who were doubtful that Obama may not achieve much in his second term. Tolbert said he disagreed.

“I think Obama's going to do well in his second term. I think he's going to get a lot accomplished,” Tolbert said.

Staff Writer Katie Urbaszewski can be reached at 448-7617 or katie.urbaszewski@dailycomet.com.

<p>From inside the walls of a school, a principal can see how much of Martin Luther King Jr.'s dream has come to pass and how much further America still has to go.</p><p>That's what West Thibodaux Middle School Principal Greg Cook spoke of Monday morning on the civil rights leader's holiday.</p><p>“Although we've made so many strides, some still have the same doubts and fears that we did when we were young,” Cook said of the conversations he has with his students.</p><p>He spoke of his frustration with the entertainment industry, which portrays the “falsehood” that black men “would rather pour liquor, use drugs and degrade women rather than educate ourselves,” and with society's “subtle ways” of telling those who are black that they aren't equipped for successful lives.</p><p>However, “to the young people here today, I stand before you as a living testament of the power of hope. ... Anything you work for can be obtained as long as you guard the hope in your heart,” Cook said.</p><p>His speech highlighted the theme of the NAACP Lafourche Parish chapter's Monday event, “Even When the Odds Are Against You, Keep Hoping.”</p><p>Many of the words spoken during the Thibodaux event had a similar mixed tone, all with the conclusion that those who struggle will triumph in the end.</p><p>Before the group began its march from Martin Luther King Jr. Park to the St. Luke Community Center, 12-year-old Naomi Winston read a poem she wrote for the occasion.</p><p>“Hope sometimes feels like an illusion. Sometimes it fills me with such confusion,” read Winston, who is the daughter of the NAACP chapter's vice president Ronnie Winston. Still, “even when the odds are against me, I hope.”</p><p>As she marched Monday, Gustavia Vergin, 56, spoke of the changes Thibodaux has undergone since she was a child and the changes she would still like to see.</p><p>Growing up, she remembers separate water fountains and separate waiting areas in doctors' offices for black and white people.</p><p>“My mama told me I had to wait till things change. … Now, it's changing, slowly,” said Vergin, whose father participated in civil rights marches.</p><p>Still, “a lot can be improved,” such as the public school system and law enforcement's treatment of African-Americans, she said.</p><p>Furthermore, King would likely be “crying about what children are doing today, like blacks killing blacks,” if he were alive today, Vergin said.</p><p>King would have turned 84 this month. He was assassinated at age 39.</p><p>The chapter's president, Burnell Tolbert, was not present at the Thibodaux event because he was in Washington for President Barack Obama's inauguration.</p><p>“I couldn't miss this. … It's cold, but it's well worth it,” Tolbert said by phone Monday, after hearing Obama speak. He had not seen Obama's first inauguration. Former chapter president Eva Shanklin saw that one.</p><p>When Shanklin saw Obama at the National Mall, “it was just an awesome feeling to think we have an African-American president,” she said.</p><p>“He's serving because this is what God called him to do. … He's been continuing to fight and struggle as we have,” Shanklin said.</p><p>Tolbert said he had been talking with others that day who were doubtful that Obama may not achieve much in his second term. Tolbert said he disagreed.</p><p>“I think Obama's going to do well in his second term. I think he's going to get a lot accomplished,” Tolbert said.</p><p></p><p>Staff Writer Katie Urbaszewski can be reached at 448-7617 or katie.urbaszewski@dailycomet.com.</p>